FMB: Builders spend years driving their van

BUILDERS spend two-and-a-half years driving their van over the course of their working lives and almost one year trying to locate a particular tool, according to new research by the FMB.

The FMB asked thousands of builders across the UK how many minutes they spend each day carrying out certain tasks. The figures reveal that over their career, an average builder will spend the equivalent of:

Two years and nine months talking to clients;Two years and six months driving their van;Two years and six months at the builders merchants;Two years and one month training or supervising junior colleagues or apprentices;One year and nine months eating lunch;11 months trying to locate a particular tool;Six months making tea.

Commenting on the research, Brian Berry, ceo of the FMB, said: ‘This new research dispels the myth that builders spend a big chunk of their time drinking tea. In reality, if builders are downing their tools for any reason, it's so they can chat to their customers and ensure they have happy clients.

‘Less surprisingly, over the course of their working lives, your average builder will spend two and a half years driving their van and two and a half years shopping for materials at their local builders merchants. Of all the activities that might typically fill a builder’s working day, making tea trails at the bottom of the list.’www.fmb.org.uk